16 OFWs in Saudi reported missing - report

At least 16 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been reported missing in the western region of Saudi Arabia, the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah said Wednesday. Online news site Arab News said Consul General Pendosina Lomondot said the families of the 16 had sought their help in locating them. He identified the missing as Armando Petros, Jovencia Terol, Marites C., Hernando Evilla, Zubaina Baganian, Dioscoro Yacap, Lea G. Saladaga, Riza Ulanday, Arnold O. Bangoy, Elvie Dignadice, Elena Mansia, Christopher G. Samaniego, Aniceta Velarde, Hazzle M. Hora, Alfonso L. Fallera Jr., and Raymond Hernandez. Yacap's place of work was listed as Abha, capital city of the mountainous province of Asir, southeast of Jeddah. Arcega was based in Najran, further south in Saudi Arabia's border with Yemen. The rest were presumed to be based in Jeddah, he said. OFW unidentified This developed as the consulate's Assistance to Nationals Section (ANS) remains stumped on the identity of a Filipino who died two months ago at the Hai Al-Jamaea Hospital in Jeddah's Jamea district. ANS officer Rico Silva said some community members have identified the deceased as Fernando Bohol, but efforts to verify the information remained futile. The man's fate was brought to the consulate's attention in late July by Dr. Mohammed Rashed, director of Hai Al-Jamaea Hospital. In a letter to Lomondot, Rashed said the man was unconscious when he was brought in on July 6 by a Filipino woman who gave her name only as Iluminada. Rashed said the patient did not have any identifying document. The woman reportedly left a contact number and address, which were found to be fictitious. Rashed said the patient, who was in his 50s, died of "cardiopulmonary arrest due to markedly elevated blood pressure and possible brain hemorrhage." Silva called on Filipinos who could provide any clue to the man's identity to call the consulate as a way of helping the man's family. "You don't need to identify who you are. Just send call us or send us a letter. All we need is the name of the person and the company he worked with. Your help is very important because unless the body is identified, it cannot be repatriated to the Philippines," Silva said. He said any information on the missing individuals and the dead person may be relayed to Elsa Masa or Norma Laut-Mamainte of the ANS in Jeddah at telephone numbers (02)667-0925, 660-0348 or 663-0354. - GMANews.TV